TANZANIA: Late Bishop Emeritus Mapunda Laid to Rest
Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Alex Mapunda (MHSRIP)
The late Bishop emeritus Emmanuel Mapunda of Mbinga Diocese has been laid to rest on 24th May 2019 in the Cathedral of St Killian Church. The Co-President of Tanzania Episcopal Conference Rt. Rev. Flavian Kassala said that the Catholic Church in Tanzania has lost a bishop who, despite his age, was still serving the Church through teaching at St. Augustine Major Seminary at Peramiho located in Southern part of Tanzania.
“We thank God for his life was a blessing to our Church.
While presiding at the funeral, Bishop of Mbinga Diocese Rt. Rev. John Ndimbo said that the late bishop Mapunda is the founder Mbinga Diocese who dedicated himself to shape the diocese and created a vision of the Catholic Church in Mbinga.
“All the infrastructure we see including the big Cathedral of St. Killian, Bishop’s house and beautiful churches in Mbinga are out of his efforts.
As the first bishop of our diocese, the lay men and women Religious and priests shall remember him for his effort in shaping our diocese and connecting us with the Catholic Diocese of Wurzburg in Germany which is our Sister Diocese,” said Bishop Ndimbo.
He also said that Bishop Mapunda loved his vocation and dedicated himself to celebrating Mass and lecturing to seminarians up to his death.
He was also talented in many gifts including music and languages.
Speaking with the AMECEA Online Correspondent, the Lay faithful of Mbinga Diocese said that the death of Bishop Mapunda shocked them because he has been in the forefront of Mbinga Diocese’s development.
“He baptized me and insisted that we take our children to school. He established many schools within our Diocese; he expanded spiritual institutions from parish level to diocese,” said Flora Mgaya of 55 years.
Giving a condolence message of Pope Francis through Tanzania’s Nunciature, Bishop Kassala said that Pope Francis is saddened by the death of Bishop Mapunda.
“I ask all the lay faithful, priests, religious and bishops to pray for his soul. What remains for us is to thank God for everything through Christ Jesus who gave him as a witness and a gift to the Church, especially Mbinga Diocese,” he said.
The funeral was also attended by the retired President of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa and other government officials.
Bishop Emmanuel Alex Mapunda was born on 10th December 1935 at Paranguho in Peramiho Southern Part of Tanzania. He was baptized on 15/12/1935. He joined the Peramiho Major Seminar in 1957 for Philosophical studies until 1959; he continued with Theological studies in the seminary until 1965. He was ordained to priesthood 08/09/1965 by the Late Bishop James Komba.
On 24/12/1986 Fr Emmanuel Mapunda was appointed by Holy Father John Paul II to be the first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mbinga, followed by consecration bishop by Holy Father John Paul II himself on 06/01/1987 in Rome, Italy. He was installed as bishop of Mbinga Diocese on 15/03/1987 at St. Aloyce Gonzaga Mbinga. After attaining 75 years of age on 12/03/2011, he retired a bishop of Binga Diocese.
Bishop Dr. Emmanuel Mapunda became sick on 11/05/2019 at Nangombo Parish in his home. Doctors found that he had low sugar and that lungs were not functioning properly. On 16th May 2019, doctors decided to transfer him to Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam for further diagnosis and treatment.
While in the plane nn 16th May 2019 Retired bishop Dr. Emmanuel Mapunda died on his way to Tanzania National Hosptila in Dar es Salaam for treatment.
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By Sarah Pelaji, TEC
